2 weeks ago
Lawyer-turned-Nihang Sikh says Waheguru ordered Badal attack
A man named Jaspal Singh did something very serious at a gurudwara, a Sikh place of worship, in the city of Nanded in India.
He used a kirpan, a special curved knife that Sikhs carry as part of their religion, to attack another man.
The man he hurt was Sukhbir Singh Badal, the president of a big political group in India called the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Badal, who used to be a deputy leader of the Punjab government, was hurt on his hand when he tried to block the blow.
The police caught Singh right away, and he said, 'I surrender, I surrender.'
When police asked why he did it, Singh said he received an order, called an 'aadesh', from Waheguru, the name Sikhs use for God, while he was praying.
He also told the police that he blamed Badal for drug problems in the state.
Singh used to be a lawyer who lived in Pune, and he left his wife and daughter to become a Nihang, a special order of Sikh warriors, at Nanded.
Police are still investigating, and they have not found any past crimes connected to Singh.
Jaspal Singh allegedly attacked Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal with a kirpan on Thursday as Badal was exiting Gurudwara Mata Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra.
Singh, a 62-year-old former lawyer from Pune who became a Nihang sevadar, told police he received an 'aadesh' (order) from Waheguru to attack while worshipping at the gurudwara.
Police sources said Singh also told them he attacked Badal because he held him responsible for the drug menace in the state.
Badal, a former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, took the blow on his forearm and suffered injuries to his hand.
Singh has no criminal record or known gang links, police have not yet released a statement, and the investigation is ongoing.
- Who
- Jaspal Singh, a 62-year-old former lawyer from Pune and Nihang Sikh, allegedly attacked Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab.
- What
- Singh attacked Badal with a kirpan concealed in a handkerchief as Badal exited a gurudwara, striking his forearm and injuring his hand.
- Where
- Gurudwara Mata Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra.
- When
- Thursday.
- Why
- Singh told police he received an 'aadesh' (order) from Waheguru while worshipping; police sources also said he told them he held Badal responsible for the drug menace in the state.
Religious motive account
Political motive account
Motive behind the attack
Religious motive account
Singh told police he acted on an 'aadesh' (order) from Waheguru that he received while worshipping at the gurudwara where the attack took place.
Political motive account
Police sources quoted Singh as saying he attacked Badal because he held him responsible for the drug menace in the state.
Key facts
- Victim
- Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD president and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab
- Accused
- Jaspal Singh (Jaspal Singh Teja Singh Aidal), 62, former lawyer from Pune
- Weapon
- Kirpan concealed in a handkerchief, aimed at the chest
- Location
- Gurudwara Mata Sahib, Nanded, Maharashtra
- Date
- Thursday
- Injuries
- Blow taken on forearm; injuries to hand
- Motive
- 'Aadesh' (order) from Waheguru; also blamed Badal for the drug menace
- Background
- Took sanyas in 2023, leaving wife and daughter in Pune; became a Nihang sevadar at Nanded; one account says he worked at a corporate firm in Mumbai, another describes him as a Pune lawyer who also ran a newspaper and snacks centre
Quotes
Jaspal Singh Teja Singh Aidal
Lawyer from Pune turned Nihang Sikh volunteer who attacked Sukhbir Singh Badal
“I surrender, I surrender.”
NDTV










